SOL_HPGE_SHA_USUN_Rome_GS-14.pdf

Request for Personal Service Contractor

United States Agency for International Development

Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance

Position Title: Senior Humanitarian Advisor, United States Mission to the United Nations to Rome

Solicitation Number: SOL-OFDA-17-000008

Salary Level: GS-14 Equivalent: $87,263 - $113,444

Issuance Date: November 28, 2016

Closing Date: December 19, 2016

Closing Time: 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

Dear Prospective Applicants:

The United States Government (USG), represented by the U.S. Agency for International

Development (USAID) Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), is seeking applications from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services a Senior Humanitarian

Advisor (SHA) under a United States Personal Services Contract (USPSC), as described in the attached solicitation.

Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified.

Applicants interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials:

1. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your application, your resume must include:

(a) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for all field experience must also be detailed. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.

(b) Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.

(c) Names and contact information (phone/email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). Current and/or previous supervisors may be contacted for a reference.

(d) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.

(e) U.S. Citizenship

(f) Optional: Where you heard about this job (FedBizOps, OFDA Jobs, Career Fair, etc.).

Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.

2. Supplemental document specifically addressing the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) shown in the solicitation.

Solicitation for a USPSC Senior Humanitarian Advisor

SOL-OFDA-17-000008

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3. USPSC Application form AID 302-3. Applicants are required to complete sections A through

I. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.

NOTE ABOUT THE DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM/SYSTEM FOR

AWARD MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS

All USPSCs with a place of performance in the United States are required to have a Data

Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and be registered in the System for Award

Management (SAM) database prior to receiving an offer. You will be disqualified if you either fail to comply with this requirement or if your name appears on the excluded parties list. The selectee will be provided with guidance regarding this registration.

Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. OFDA reserves the right to select additional candidates if vacancies become available during future phases of the selection process.

Applicants can expect to receive a confirmation email when application materials have been received. Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. Your complete resume and the supplemental document addressing the QRFs must be emailed to:

OFDA Recruitment Team

E-Mail Address: recruiter@ofda.gov

Website: www.OFDAjobs.net

Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to OFDA Recruitment Team via the information provided above.

Sincerely, Renee Newton

Contracting Officer mailto:recruiter@ofda.gov mailto:recruiter@ofda.gov http://www.ofdajobs.net/ http://www.ofdajobs.net/

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Solicitation for USPSC Senior Humanitarian Advisor

1. SOLICITATION NO.: SOL-OFDA-17-000008

2. ISSUANCE DATE: November 28, 2016

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: December 19, 2016, at

12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

4. POSITION TITLE: Senior Humanitarian Advisor

5. MARKET VALUE: GS-14 equivalent $87,263 - $113,444 – (not eligible for locality pay).

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon the candidate’s past salary, work history and educational background. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two (2) years, with three (3) option years

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Rome, Italy

There may be an initial training program in Washington, D.C. for three months, which will include formal classroom training and on-the-job training; and may include security training.

After completion of Washington training, the Senior Humanitarian Advisor will be assigned to the place of performance.

8. STATEMENT OF WORK

POSITION DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) is the office within USAID that is responsible for providing emergency non-food humanitarian assistance in response to international crises and disasters. OFDA is part of the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and

Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA) and is organized into six divisions.

The Africa (AFD) Response Division and the Asia, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East

(ALE) Response Division are responsible for the provision of emergency humanitarian assistance through a grants mechanism to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international organizations including United Nations (UN) agencies and to other partners to ensure the implementation and delivery of this assistance. These divisions also oversee OFDA’s non-response efforts in disaster risk reduction and resilience. AFD and ALE Response Divisions also coordinate with other organizations for the provision of relief supplies and assistance. They devise, coordinate and implement program strategies for a variety of natural and complex disaster situations. Both Divisions encompass groups of operations specialists who provide technical expert capability in assessing the quality and strategic function of disaster response and risk reduction activities. The AFD Response Division is divided into two teams: East and Central

Africa (ECA), and Southern, West, and North Africa (SWAN). The ALE Response Division is

4 | Page divided into four teams: East Asia and the Pacific (EAP), Europe, the Middle East, and Central

Asia (EMCA), Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), and South Asia.

The Operations (OPS) Division develops and manages operations for OFDA’s disaster responses by readying people and systems; projecting U.S. Government (USG) humanitarian capacity quickly into the field; and delivering material and technical assistance. The OPS Division maintains readiness to respond to emergencies through several mechanisms, including managing

Urban Search and Rescue Teams, coordinating, staffing, training, and equipping Disaster

Assistance Response Teams (DARTs), and Washington-based Response Management Teams

(RMTs), and stockpiling emergency relief commodities in key locations around the globe to ensure OFDA’s capacity to execute and coordinate USG humanitarian assistance and response to natural disasters and complex emergencies. The OPS Division provides technical guidance and expertise in Disaster Logistics, Urban Search and Rescue, Operations Center management, activation/readiness, Civil-Military Liaison, and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and

Explosive Consequence Management. It also provides overseas support to OFDA offices and personnel and to other sectors necessary to ensure OFDA’s capacity to execute and coordinate

USG humanitarian assistance and response to natural disasters and complex emergencies. The

OPS Division is divided into four teams: the Disaster Assistance Support Program (DASP), Military Liaison Team (MLT), Operations Support Team (OST), and Overseas Administration

Team (OAT).

The Program Support (PS) Division provides operational management support, including general administration, budget and financial services, procurement planning, information technology, human resources management including staff care, and contract and grant administration support to OFDA. The PS Division supports OFDA's mandate by providing innovative solutions in the areas of Information Technology, staffing, funds control, budgeting, human resource management, and procurement to facilitate timely disaster responses. The PS Division is divided into four teams: the Award Change Control Group (ACCG), Human Resources Management

Team (HRM), Budget, Finance, and Information Technology (BFIT) Team, and the Acquisition and Management (ACQ) Team.

The Preparation, Strategic Planning and Mitigation (PSPM) Division is responsible for the technical oversight of all OFDA response and mitigation programs, as well as preparation for response, mitigation, and disaster risk reduction activities. The PSPM Division houses technical experts in all sectors potentially affected by disasters, and leads the Agency in developing and promoting best practices for programming in these specific sectors. In addition, PSPM will be the focal point for technological innovations for humanitarian assistance in areas such as monitoring and evaluation, assessment, and information management. The PSPM Division is divided into four teams: Cross-Cutting Sectors Team, Natural Hazards Team, Health Team, and

Livelihoods Team.

The Humanitarian Policy and Global Engagement (HPGE) Division assists the DCHA front office, the OFDA Director and OFDA Deputy Director with tracking trends and policy developments in the humanitarian assistance field. It engages in policy dialogue with other parts of USAID, the USG interagency, other donors, multilateral agencies, and NGO partners;

recommends strategies for action to DCHA; initiates development of policy and internal

5 | Page guidance for OFDA; maintains global relationships with implementing partners, other donors, and the broader humanitarian architecture; and engages with the UN to advance USG humanitarian policy objectives and promote humanitarian principles within the USG and internationally. The HPGE Division leads OFDA's communications and social media outreach to effectively communicate OFDA’s story to a variety of strategic audiences. It serves as the office’s primary interlocutor on strategic issues with other federal partners to provide guidance to

OFDA on policy issues pertaining to the interagency, and to improve USG humanitarian coordination and response during large-scale crises. The HPGE Division staff manages global programs, policy and outreach, strategic communications, and interagency training and engagement. HPGE is divided into seven teams: Policy Team, Global Programs Team, Strategic

Interagency Team, Strategic Communications Team, Interagency Training Team, Public-Private

Engagement Team, and the United States Mission to the UN (USUN).

INTRODUCTION

Created in 1947 by the United Nations Participation Act, the USUN assists the President and the

Department of State (DOS) in conducting United States policy at the UN. An important function of the USUN is to keep the DOS informed of events at the UN. USUN officers report on meetings and make recommendations to DOS as to what course of action the U.S. should pursue.

This information is also relayed to overseas American Embassies which have an interest in particular items under UN consideration. The USUN is also a link between the USG and the UN

Secretariat. OFDA maintains a liaison at the USUN to help provide humanitarian operational experience at USUN, represent USAID and broad USG humanitarian views and interests on humanitarian assistance issues and to report to the USG on the proceedings of UN activities.

The Senior Humanitarian Advisor (SHA) in Rome assists in planning strategies and responses to humanitarian crises; advocates and educates on humanitarian issues; provides guidance on policy issues and prepares key briefings and guidance. The SHA position is critical to enhancing the policy positions and operational efficiency of USG emergency and relief responses worldwide.

As such, this position requires a great degree of independent action, demanding both discretion and diplomacy. The SHA position resides within the USAID Unit at the USUN in Rome and coordinates closely with USAID/DCHA. OFDA will fund approximately one-half of the level of effort under this contract and the Office of FFP will fund the other one-half.

OBJECTIVE

OFDA and FFP require the services of a SHA at the USUN Mission based in Rome, Italy to provide support to USUN and ensure that USAID objectives for disaster assistance, strategic reporting on humanitarian issues and situational analysis on humanitarian policy issues are met and coordinated closely.

9. CORE FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The SHA serves as a key source of information on humanitarian issues and humanitarian policy and acts as a critical interlocutor with World Food Programme (WFP) and Food and Agriculture

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Organization (FAO) on humanitarian issues. The SHA will help plan USUN strategies and responses to humanitarian crises, actively lobby WFP and FAO on U.S. positions on humanitarian issues, oversee USAID programming interests with WFP and FAO, provide effective liaison with various USG offices, engage Rome-based member state counterparts and will anticipate and prepare documents and briefing memos on humanitarian issues for Senior

Leadership and various meetings and events. The SHA will be the leading point of contact in

Rome for engagement with the system-wide international humanitarian architecture, liaising regularly with other US diplomatic missions and DCHA in order to ensure strong and cohesive

USG participation in the humanitarian system. The SHA will raise critical issues with WFP, FAO and Rome-based Permanent Representatives on behalf of USUN Rome, OFDA, FFP, and other USG agencies while also providing guidance, analysis and information to these USG offices on humanitarian concerns in Rome.

The SHA is required to provide expert advice and guidance that influences the decisions and actions of senior policy officials and needs to quickly, accurately and decisively determine the relevance and significance of information to the policy interests of the USG. The SHA is also tasked to produce widely disseminated analytical products that represent official assessments of complex issues and keep the humanitarian policy-making and foreign affairs communities continuously informed of new issues and developments.

The role requires significant interaction with foreign delegates, demanding strong diplomatic and communication skills to accurately represent U.S. positions in a complex multilateral setting.

Contacts occur in a wide variety of planned and unplanned, formal and informal settings, including open meetings and conferences where the SHA may be called upon to explain and defend U.S. positions on humanitarian issues. The position requires extensive experience with and a thorough understanding of the international humanitarian assistance environment, operations, related policies, regulations, and inter-relationships between the USG, donor and other international organizations.

The SHA will work out of the USUN Mission in Rome, Italy and will report to OFDA’s HPGE

Division and FFP’s Policy and Technical Division in Washington. The SHA will serve as a key in-country point of contact for humanitarian issues in Rome.

The SHA’s duties and responsibilities will include the following:

• Serve as an authoritative source on all humanitarian policy information for the U.S.

Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission, USAID Counselor and USUN staff, providing leadership for the identification, research, analysis and development of recommendations on all issues and matters relating to humanitarian affairs and anticipate the need for such policy analysis;

• Assist USUN in the development of major policy speeches, briefing/background papers and statements/talking points on humanitarian assistance, as needed;

• Engage regularly with Rome-based member state counterparts to exchange information, establish meetings on specific donor issues, solicit publications, and discuss humanitarian policy issues and specific operations involving WFP and FAO;

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• Act as OFDA and FFP’s Senior representative in Rome, disseminating relevant guidelines and information and responding to inquiries on relevant operations and policies;

• Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with other USUN Rome offices and relevant USG offices and serve as an expert point of contact for these groups in the area of humanitarian affairs;

• Provide guidance and analysis to OFDA and FFP on USUN views on humanitarian policy and humanitarian operations, the status of strategic policy and procedural-related needs, and operational constraints of humanitarian relief efforts;

• Initiate and maintain strong working relationships with other US diplomatic missions in

Brussels, New York and Geneva, in order to promote humanitarian principles, report and negotiate the positions of other delegations, and coordinate disaster response activities;

• Provide OFDA, FFP and other diplomatic missions with analysis and guidance on relations with Rome based Permanent Representatives, FAO and WFP;

• Advise USUN Rome, OFDA and FFP on activities, discussions and policy considerations taking place within the international humanitarian community in Rome;

• Represent USAID and USUN Rome at humanitarian focused meetings or conferences providing guidance and advice on USG positions, negotiating strategies, and, in consultation with USUN Rome, OFDA and FFP conducting negotiations with the humanitarian community and making recommendations to the appropriate officials in USAID and USUN

Rome;

• Represent USAID and USUN Rome at meetings with Rome-based member state counterparts on a broad range of humanitarian issues;

• Responsible for developing relationships with FAO’s Emergency and Rehabilitation

Division, maintaining knowledge of FAO humanitarian operations, and contributing significantly to USUN’s oversight of FAO voluntary contributions related to humanitarian assistance;

• Provide recommendations to USUN Rome, OFDA and FFP based on discussions and engagement with WFP and FAO including the identification of strategic, policy, programmatic and operational issues and the dissemination of informational updates, appeal information and analysis;

• Participate in and direct preparations for WFP and FAO governing bodies’ regular meetings including the drafting of U.S. position papers, the organizing of meeting program documents, the preparation of briefing books, the completion of reporting cables and providing support and analysis to US Senior Leadership attending these meetings;

• Participate in USUN regular meetings to review the humanitarian work of the unit, setting priorities, monitoring progress on critical items, and coordinating with the USAID

Humanitarian and Development Counselor and other USUN Rome colleagues, as well as

USAID/DCHA;

• Consult regularly with FAO’s Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS) and

WFP’s Vulnerability Assessment Mapping (VAM) unit to in order to support the USG’s understanding of risks from natural events and the spread of highly contagious diseases;

and,

• Serve on DARTs and represent USAID in field visits and assessments as appropriate and when requested by OFDA or FFP.

• Act independently with minimal direction and will have wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment under the overall strategic and policy direction of Washington.

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SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:

This position is located within the larger USAID team in USUN/Rome and works closely on a day-to-day basis with the USAID Humanitarian and Development Counselor and the rest of the

USAID team, as well as the broader USUN Mission in support of the USUN Ambassador and

Mission goals. At times, the SHA may be requested to serve as Team Lead for the USAID team in the absence of the Counselor. The SHA position reports formally to the OFDA’s HPGE

Division Director and the FFP’s Policy and Partnerships Division Director.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:

Supervisory controls will be through OFDA and FFP in Washington but the SHA is expected to act independently with minimal direction and will have wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment under the overall strategic and policy direction of Washington.

10. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is generally sedentary and does not pose undue physical demands. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, there may be some additional physical exertion including long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, or carrying of moderately heavy items (less than 50 pounds).

11. WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily performed in an office setting. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, the work may additionally involve special safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions.

12. START DATE: Immediately, once necessary clearances are obtained.

13. POINT OF CONTACT: See Cover Letter.

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EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Applicants who do not meet all of the education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)

Bachelor’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including, but not limited to, international relations, economics or a related field), and a minimum of nine (9) years implementing programmatic responses in humanitarian emergencies and/or immediate post-conflict environments, of which a minimum of three (3) years must be with a U.S.

Government foreign affairs agency with coordination and representational responsibilities. A minimum of two (2) years must be overseas in a leadership position managing emergency or crisis interventions.

OR

Master’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including, but not limited to, international relations, economics or a related field), and a minimum of seven (7) years implementing programmatic responses in humanitarian emergencies and/or immediate post-conflict environments, of which a minimum of three (3) years must be with a U.S.

Government foreign affairs agency with coordination and representational responsibilities. A minimum of two (2) years must be overseas in a leadership position managing emergency or crisis interventions.

SELECTION FACTORS

(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Applicants who do not meet all of the selection factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)

Applicant is a U.S. Citizen.

Complete resume submitted. See cover page for resume requirements. Experience that cannot be quantified will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.

USPSC Application form AID 302-3. Applicants are required to complete sections A through I. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.

Supplemental document specifically addressing the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) submitted.

Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented

Information level clearance as provided by USAID.

Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance.

Must not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

Satisfactory verification of academic credentials.

QUALITY RANKING FACTORS (QRFs)

(Used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified applicants in comparison to other applicants. The factors are listed in priority order from highest to least.)

QRF #1 Proven experience in providing expert guidance in the area of humanitarian assistance with regard to the policy implications of issues and developments, based on hands-on experience in the field of humanitarian action and a thorough on-the-ground knowledge of the international humanitarian system concepts, and

10 | Page issues. Knowledge of the structures, mandates, and policies of the United Nations system is needed. Proven experience in hands-on engagement within the international humanitarian system and the actors involved in that system.

QRF #2 Demonstrated skill in oral and written communication, preparing and presenting analysis, providing guidance, soliciting sensitive information, and negotiating agreement on humanitarian issues.

QRF #3 Direct experience with U.S. policy and regulations for responses to natural disasters and complex emergencies, as well as experience with U.S. Government systems and structure.

QRF #4 Experience with the role of liaison in inter-agency relationships at all levels throughout the humanitarian and foreign policy communities; demonstrated ability to work with a diverse array of individuals and organizations involved in disaster response/preparedness/mitigation and humanitarian assistance, including

U.S. Government agencies, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and host governments.

QRF #5 Demonstrated ability to consistently and independently perform in a high visibility, high-pressure environment and accurately represent the USG policy positions. Strong worth ethic and ability to initiate, develop and manage multiple projects simultaneously. A high degree of diplomatic and leadership skills.

BASIS OF RATING: Applicants who meet the Education/Experience requirements and

Selection Factors will be further evaluated based on scoring of the QRF responses. Those applicants determined to be competitively ranked may also be evaluated on interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks.

Applicants are required to address each of the QRFs in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, and/or education they have received as it pertains to each factor. Be sure to include your name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page. Failure to address the selection factors and/or Quality Ranking Factors may result in not receiving credit for all pertinent experience, education, and/or training.

The most qualified candidates may be interviewed and required to provide a writing sample.

OFDA will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for applicants being considered for selection. Note: Please be advised that references may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to the ones provided by an applicant. OFDA reserves the right to select additional candidates if vacancies become available during future phase of the selection process.

The Applicant Rating System is as Follows:

QRFs have been assigned the following points:

QRF #1 – 17 points

QRF #2 – 10 points

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QRF #3 – 10 points

QRF #4 – 8 points

QRF #5 – 5 points

Interview Performance – 30 points

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – 20 points

Total Possible Points: 100

APPLYING:

Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter.

Qualified individuals are required to submit:

1. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your application, your resume must include:

(a) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for all field experience must also be detailed. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.

(b) Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.

(c) Names and contact information (phone/email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). Current and/or previous supervisors may be contacted for a reference.

(d) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.

(e) U.S. Citizenship

(f) Optional: Where you heard about this job (FedBizOps, OFDA Jobs, Career Fair, etc.).

Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.

2. Supplemental document specifically addressing the QRFs shown in the solicitation.

3. USPSC Application form AID 302-3. Applicants are required to complete sections A through

I. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.

Additional documents submitted will not be accepted.

By submitting your application materials, you certify that all of the information on and attached to the application is true, correct, complete, and made in good faith. You agree to allow all information on and attached to the application to be investigated. False or fraudulent information on or attached to your application may result in you being eliminated from consideration for this position, or being terminated after award, and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment.

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To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any email.

DOCUMENT SUBMITTALS

Via email: recruiter@ofda.gov

NOTE: If the full security application package is not submitted within 30 days after the Office of Security determines eligibility, the offer may be rescinded. If a Secret security clearance is not obtained within nine months after offer acceptance, the offer may be rescinded. If Top Secret is required, and clearance is not obtained within nine months after award, USAID may terminate the contract at the convenience of the government. If Sensitive Compartmented Information

(SCI) access is not obtained within nine months after Top Secret clearance is granted, USAID may terminate the contract at the convenience of the government.

NOTE: If the full medical clearance package is not submitted within two months after offer acceptance, the offer may be rescinded. If a Department of State medical clearance is not obtained within six months after offer acceptance, the offer may be rescinded.

NOTE REGARDING GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FOR THIS SOLICITATION

This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit

USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the application.

NOTE REGARDING DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBERS

AND THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

All USPSCs with a place of performance in the United States are required to have a Data

Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and be registered in the System for Award

Management (SAM) database prior to receiving an offer. You will be disqualified if you either fail to comply with this requirement or if your name appears on the excluded parties list. The selectee will be provided with guidance regarding this registration.

For general information about DUNS Numbers, please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation

(FAR) Clause 52.204-6, Data Universal Numbering System Number at https://www.acquisition.gov/far/current/html/52_200_206.html and FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management at https://www.acquisition.gov/far/current/html/52_200_206.html or www.sam.gov.

LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs

Forms outlined below can be found at:

http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ or at http://www.forms.gov/bgfPortal/main.do

1. Resume.

2. USPSC Application Form, (AID 302-3)

3. Medical History and Examination Form (DS-6561). ** https://www.acquisition.gov/far/current/html/52_200_206.html https://www.acquisition.gov/far/current/html/52_200_206.html http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ http://www.forms.gov/bgfPortal/main.do http://www.forms.gov/bgfPortal/main.do http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001zobGIB-8t9z7dWWzLRFbKSgO4uH4rjhAZgSs_0q5-ZVdEY9eWaZLuLLX9HxvTHnk0JSTmclQOZDXn1Wr2DYRTk99vmeenofGuK44ANsvtVbf5vlWUi1SWPnQ1gesqKA3i7P3doWaDEo1hLA1FV4u0X0mLUyYfuVp1LuWGX-HSA9oVDHge_CvlvhqXLy7tJsOuv-09OkAueyPYOSKkyt-jA==&c=YCVuuynWS_dfweLNigbgxL9_f1Sggbr4E5Um3aAYC8zOEwzaLV9GoQ==&ch=oa2Epnv4dkpgdOJ4PiG3SWGm0My-145IGpz7U7zYnE5mvJvJFfSbhA==

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4. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or **

5. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). **

6. Finger Print Card (FD-258). **

7. Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9 Form). **

** Forms 3 through 7 shall be completed ONLY upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) and ACQUISITION &

ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) PERTAINING TO PSCs

CIBs and AAPDs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs to determine which CIBs and AAPDs apply to this contract.

AIDAR Appendix D can be found at: https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar

ADS 309 – Personal Services Contracts can be found at:

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/309.pdf

AAPD 06-10 – PSC MEDICAL PAYMENT RESPONSIBILITY

AAPD No. 06-10 is hereby incorporated as Attachment 1 to the solicitation.

AAPD 15-02 – Authorization of Family and Medical Leave for U.S. Personal Services

Contractors (USPSCs)

AAPD No. 15-02 is hereby incorporated as Attachment 2 to the solicitation.

BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES:

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

BENEFITS:

Employer's FICA Contribution

Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

Pay Comparability Adjustment

Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)

Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

Annual & Sick Leave

ALLOWANCES (if Applicable).*

(A) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120).

(B) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130).

(C) Post Allowance (Section 220).

https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/309.pdf

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(D) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230).

(E) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260).

(F) Education Allowance (Section 270).

(G) Education Travel (Section 280).

(H) Post Differential (Chapter 500).

(I) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and

(J) Danger Pay (Section 650).

* Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).

FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are required to pay Federal Income Taxes, FICA, and Medicare

ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE,

COLOR, SEX, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFUL POLITICAL AFFILIATION, NON-

DISQUALIFYING DISABILITY, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION,

AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, OR OTHER NON-MERIT

FACTOR.

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ATTACHMENT 1

USPSC PROVISION “MEDICAL EXPENSE PAYMENT RESPONSIBILITY

(OCTOBER 2006)

MEDICAL EXPENSE PAYMENT RESPONSIBILITY (OCTOBER 2006)

(a) Definitions. Terms used in this General Provision are defined in 16 FAM 116 (available at http://www.foia.state.gov/REGS/fams.asp?level=2&id=59&fam=0). Note: personal services contractors are not eligible to participate in the Federal Employees Health Programs.

(b) The regulations in the Foreign Affairs Manual, Volume 16, Chapter 520 (16 FAM 520), Responsibility for Payment of Medical Expenses, apply to this contract, except as stated below.

The contractor and each eligible family member are strongly encouraged to obtain health insurance that covers this assignment. Nothing in this provision supersedes or contradicts any other term or provision in this contract that pertains to insurance or medical costs, except that section (e) supplements General Provision 25. “MEDICAL EVACUATION (MEDEVAC)

SERVICES.”

(c) When the contractor or eligible family member is covered by health insurance, that insurance is the primary payer for medical services provided to that contractor or eligible family member(s) both in the United States and abroad. The primary insurer’s liability is determined by the terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of the insurance policy. When the contractor or eligible family member is not covered by health insurance, the contractor is the primary payer for the total amount of medical costs incurred and the U.S. Government has no payment obligation

(see paragraph (f) of this provision).

(d) USAID serves as a secondary payer for medical expenses of the contractor and eligible family members who are covered by health insurance, where the following conditions are met:

(1) The illness, injury, or medical condition giving rise to the expense is incurred, caused, or materially aggravated while the eligible individual is stationed or assigned abroad;

(2) The illness, injury, or medical condition giving rise to the expense required or requires hospitalization and the expense is directly related to the treatment of such illness, injury, or medical condition, including obstetrical care; and

(3) The Office of Medical Services (M/MED) or a Foreign Service medical provider

(FSMP) determines that the treatment is appropriate for, and directly related to, the illness, injury, or medical condition.

(e) The Mission Director may, on the advice of M/MED or an FSMP at post, authorize medical travel for the contractor or an eligible family member in accordance with the General Provision

10, Travel and Transportation AAPD 06-10 PSC Medical Expense Payment Responsibility 6

Expenses (July 1993), section (i) entitled “Emergency and Irregular Travel and Transportation.”

In the event of a medical emergency, when time does not permit consultation, the Mission http://www.foia.state.gov/REGS/fams.asp?level=2&id=59&fam=0

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Director may issue a Travel Authorization Form or Medical Services Authorization Form DS-

3067, provided that the FSMP or Post Medical Advisor (PMA) is notified as soon as possible following such an issuance. The contractor must promptly file a claim with his or her medevac insurance provider and repay to USAID any amount the medevac insurer pays for medical travel, up to the amount USAID paid under this section. The contractor must repay USAID for medical costs paid by the medevac insurer in accordance with sections (f) and (g) below. In order for medical travel to be an allowable cost under General Provision 10, the contractor must provide

USAID written evidence that medevac insurance does not cover these medical travel costs.

(f) If the contractor or eligible family member is not covered by primary health insurance, the contractor is the primary payer for the total amount of medical costs incurred. In the event of a medical emergency, the Medical and Health Program may authorize issuance of Form DS-3067, Authorization for Medical Services for Employees and/or Dependents, to secure admission to a hospital located abroad for the uninsured contractor or eligible family member.

In that case, the contractor will be required to reimburse USAID in full for funds advanced by

USAID pursuant to the issuance of the authorization. The contractor may reimburse USAID directly or USAID may offset the cost from the contractor’s invoice payments under this contract, any other contract the individual has with the U.S. Government, or through any other available debt collection mechanism.

(g) When USAID pays medical expenses (e.g., pursuant to Form DS-3067, Authorization for

Medical Services for Employees and/or Dependents), repayment must be made to USAID either by insurance payment or directly by the contractor, except for the amount of such expenses

USAID is obligated to pay under this provision. The Contracting Officer will determine the repayment amount in accordance with the terms of this provision and the policies and procedures for employees contained in 16 FAM 521. When USAID pays the medical expenses, including medical travel costs (see section (e) above), of an individual (either the contractor or an eligible family member) who is covered by insurance, that individual promptly must claim his or her benefits under any applicable insurance policy or policies. As soon as the individual receives the insurance payment, the contractor must reimburse USAID for the full amount that USAID paid on the individual’s behalf or the repayment amount determined by the Contracting Officer in accordance with this paragraph, whichever is less. If an individual is not covered by insurance, the contractor must reimburse USAID for the entire amount of all medical expenses and any travel costs the contractor receives from his/her medevac provider.

(h) In the event that the contractor or eligible family member fails to recover insurance payments or transfer the amount of such payments to USAID within 90 days, USAID will take appropriate action to collect the payments due, unless such failure is for reasons beyond the control of the

USPSC/dependent. (i) Before departing post or terminating the contract, the contractor must settle all medical expense and medical travel costs. If the contractor is insured, he or she must provide proof to the Contracting AAPD 06-10 PSC Medical Expense Payment Responsibility 7

Officer that those insurance claims have been submitted to the insurance carrier(s) and sign a repayment agreement to repay to USAID any amounts paid by the insurance carrier(s).

End of Provision

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ATTACHMENT 2

GP 5. LEAVE AND HOLIDAYS (DEC 2015)

(Pursuant to class deviation #M/OAA-DEV-AIDAR-16-1c)

(a) Annual Leave

(1) The contractor is not entitled to annual leave if the period of performance of this contract is 90 days or less. If the contract period of performance is more than 90 days, the contractor shall earn annual leave as of the start date of the contract period of performance as specified in paragraph (a)(2) below.

(2) The contractor shall accrue annual leave based on the contractor’s time in service according to the following table:

Time in Service Annual Leave (AL) Accrual Calculation

0 to 3 years Four hours of leave for each two week period over 3, and up to

15 years

Six hours of AL for each two week period (including 10 hours AL for the final pay period of a calendar year) over 15 years Eight hours of AL for each two week period

USAID will calculate the contractor’s time in service based on all the previous service performed by the contractor as a: 1) USAID PSC (i.e., the contractor has served under any

USAID personal services contracts of any duration covered by Sec. 636(a)(3) of the FAA or other statutory provision applicable to USAID); and/or 2) former U.S. Government (USG) direct-hire, under either civilian and/or military service.

(3)

(i) AL is provided under this contract for the purposes of affording necessary rest and recreation during the period of performance. The contractor, in consultation with the

USAID Mission or USAID/Washington, as appropriate, shall develop an AL schedule early in the contractor's period of performance, taking into consideration project requirements, employee preference, and other factors. All AL earned by the contractor must be used during the contractor’s period of performance. All AL earned by the contractor, but not taken by the end of the contract, will be forfeited. However, to prevent forfeiture of AL, the Contracting Officer may approve the contractor taking AL during the concluding weeks of the contractor's period of performance.

(ii) As an exception to 3(i) above, the contractor may receive a lump-sum payment for leave not taken. To approve this exception, the contractor's supervisor must provide the

Contracting Officer with a signed, written Determination and Findings (D&F). The D&F must set out the facts and circumstances that prevented the contractor from taking AL, and the Contracting Officer must find that these facts and circumstances were not caused by, or were beyond the control of, the contractor. This leave payment must not exceed the number of days which could be earned by the contractor during a twelve-month period.

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(4) With the approval of the Mission Director or cognizant AA, as appropriate, and if the circumstances warrant, a Contracting Officer may grant the contractor advance AL in excess of the amount earned, but in no case may the Contracting Officer grant advance AL in excess of the amount earned in one year or over the life of the contract, whichever is less. The contractor agrees to reimburse USAID for any outstanding balance of advance AL provided during the contractor’s assignment under the contract.

(5) Applicants for PSC positions will provide evidence of their PSC and/or USG direct-hire service - civilian and/or military experience, as applicable, on their signed and dated application form required under USAID policy. By signing the appropriate form, the applicant attests to the accuracy of the information provided. Any applicant providing incorrect information is subject to the penalty provisions in the form. If required to satisfy due diligence requirements on behalf of the Contracting Officer, the contractor may be required to furnish evidence that verifies length of service, e.g., SF 50, DD Form 214, and/or signed contracts.

(b) Sick Leave. The contractor may use sick leave on the same basis and for the same purposes as USAID U.S. direct hire employees. Sick leave is earned at a rate not to exceed four (4) hours every two (2) weeks for a total of 13 work-days per year. Unused sick leave may be carried over under an extension or renewal of this contract with the same individual for the same work.

Otherwise, sick leave will not be carried over from one post to another or from one contract to another. The contractor will not be compensated for unused sick leave upon completion of this contract.

(c) Home Leave.

(1) Home leave is leave earned for service abroad for use only in the U.S., its commonwealths, possessions and territories.

(2) A USPSC who has served at least two years overseas at the same USAID Mission, under the same contract, as defined in paragraph (c)(4) below, and has not taken more than 30 work days leave (annual, sick or LWOP) in the U.S. may be granted home leave in accordance with the following:

(i) if the USPSC returns to the same overseas post upon completion of home leave for an additional two (2) years under the same contract, the USPSC will receive home leave, to be taken at one time, for a period of 30 work days; or if the USPSC returns to the same overseas post upon completion of home leave for such shorter period of not less than one year, as approved in writing by the Mission Director prior to the USPSCs departure on home leave, the USPSC will receive home leave, to be taken at one time, for a period of 30 work days.

(ii) if the USPSC is returning to a different USAID Mission under a USAID personal services contract immediately following completion of the USPSC's home leave, for an additional two (2) years under contract, or for such shorter period of not less than one (1)

19 | Page year, as approved by the Mission Directors of the "losing" and "gaining" Missions, the contractor will receive home leave, to be taken at one time, for a period of not more than

20 work days. When the PSC is returning to a different USAID Mission, the former

Mission will pay for the home leave regardless of what country the PSC will be working in following the home leave;

(iii) if home leave eligibility is based on (c)(2)(ii) above, the USPSC must submit written verification to the losing Mission at the time home leave is requested that the USPSC has accepted a USAID personal services contract at another USAID Mission following completion of the home leave;

(iv) travel time by the most direct route is authorized in addition to the number of work days authorized for home leave;

(v) home leave must be taken in the U.S., its commonwealths, possessions or territories, and any days spent elsewhere will be charged to annual leave (AL.) If the PSC does not have accrued AL, the PSC will be placed on LWOP.

(vi) if the PSC does not complete the additional service required under (c)(2)(i) or (ii)

(that the Contracting Officer finds are other than for reasons beyond the PSC's control), the cost of home leave, travel and transportation and any other related costs must be repaid by the PSC to the Government.

(3) Notwithstanding the requirement in paragraph (c)(2) above, that the USPSC must have served two (2) years overseas under personal services contract with the same Mission to be eligible for home leave, the USPSC may be granted advance home leave subject to all of the following conditions:

(i) Granting of advanced home leave would in each case serve to advance the attainment of the objectives of this contract; and

(ii) The USPSC has served a minimum of 18 months in the Cooperating Country under this contract; and

(iii) The USPSC agrees to return to the Cooperating Country to serve out the remaining time necessary to meet two (2) years of service overseas, plus an additional two (2) years under the current contract or under a new contract for the same or similar services at the same Mission. If approved in advance by the Mission Director, the USPSC may return to serve out any remainder of the two (2) year requirement for service overseas, plus an additional period of not less than one (1) year under the current contract or under a new contract for the same or similar services at the same Mission.

(4) The period of service overseas required under paragraph (c)(2), or paragraph (c)(3) above, will include the actual days in orientation in the U.S. (less language training). The actual days overseas begin on the date of arrival in the cooperating country inclusive of authorized delays enroute.